Vehicle communication apparatus and vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle communication apparatus includes a plurality of remote units (RUs) configured to transmit signals to a mobile communication network and to receive signals from the mobile communication network, and a central unit (CU) configured to provide data based on the signals received through the plurality of remote units to one or more devices located in a vehicle. The plurality of remote units includes an array antenna attached to a body of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.16/329,884, filed on Mar. 1, 2019, which is a National Stage applicationunder 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No.PCT/KR2017/007974, filed on Jul. 25, 2017, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/367,769, filed on Jul. 28, 2016. Thedisclosures of the prior applications are incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle communication apparatus and avehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

A vehicle refers to an apparatus moved by a user in a desired directionand representative examples thereof include automobiles.

As the frequency of use of wireless communication of a passenger in avehicle increases and the number of categories of services usingwireless communication increases, it is necessary to provide a high datarate and high quality of service (QoS) to users at a high speed unlikethe related art.

For example, when a plurality of users using public transportation wantsto view multimedia content or a plurality of passengers in a privatevehicle traveling on a highway uses different mobile communicationsystems, a mobile communication system needs to provide good wirelessservices to the users.

According to such necessity, an array antenna having a large size isrequired. However, due to the aerodynamic structure and exterior designof a vehicle, it is difficult to attach a large array antenna to thevehicle.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide acommunication apparatus capable of providing good wireless services.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide avehicle including the communication apparatus.

The technical problems solved by the present invention are not limitedto the above technical problems and other technical problems which arenot described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following description.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle communicationapparatus includes a plurality of remote units (RUs) configured totransmit signals to a mobile communication network and to receivesignals from the mobile communication network, and a central unit (CU)configured to provide data based on the signals received through theplurality of remote units to one or more devices located in a vehicle.The plurality of remote units includes an array antenna attached to abody of the vehicle.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detaileddescription and drawings.

Advantageous Effects

The embodiments of the present invention include one or more of thefollowing effects.

First, it is possible to prevent communication performance deteriorationdue to penetration loss having an average value of about 20 dB.

Second, it is possible to obtain large array again by using a largernumber of antennas than a personal portable communication device.

Third, it is easy to secure a distance between antennas and to securediversity.

Fourth, it is possible to provide an excellent communication service ascompared to a personal portable device without additional investment ininfrastructure.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to theabove-described effects and other effects which are not described hereinmay be derived by those skilled in the art from the followingdescription of the embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view referenced to describe a communication apparatusprovided in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are views referenced to describe a vehicle communicationapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view referenced to describe a vehicle communicationapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 to 8 are views referenced to describe a vehicle communicationapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view referenced to describe a plurality of array antennasaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates addition of an AGC/AFC controller block to a remoteradio head (RRH) according to an example or implementation example ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the addition of IF function block between an RFICand a modem.

FIG. 12 illustrates a reference model having a 3-step function block ofRFIC, modem and AP.

BEST MODE

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin detail reference to the accompanying drawings in which the samereference numbers are used throughout this specification to refer to thesame or like parts and a repeated description thereof will be omitted.The suffixes “module” and “unit” of elements herein are used forconvenience of description and thus can be used interchangeably and donot have any distinguishable meanings or functions. In describing thepresent invention, a detailed description of known functions andconfigurations will be omitted when it may obscure the subject matter ofthe present invention. The accompanying drawings are used to help easilyunderstood the technical idea of the present invention and it should beunderstood that the idea of the present invention is not limited by theaccompanying drawings. The idea of the present invention should beconstrued to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutionsbesides the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements of the present invention,these terms are only used to distinguish one element from anotherelement and essential, order, or sequence of corresponding elements arenot limited by these terms.

It will be understood that when one element is referred to as being“connected to” or “coupled to” another element, one element may be“connected to” or “coupled to”, another element via a further elementalthough one element may be directly connected to or directly accessedto another element.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be understood that the terms ‘comprise’, ‘include’, etc., whenused in this specification, specify the presence of several componentsor several steps and part of the components or steps may not be includedor additional components or steps may further be included.

A vehicle as described in this specification may include an automobileand a motorcycle. Hereinafter, an automobile will be focused upon.

A vehicle as described in this specification may include all of avehicle including an engine as a power source, a hybrid vehicleincluding both an engine and an electric motor as a power source, and anelectric vehicle including an electric motor as a power source.

In the following description, the left of a vehicle means the left of adriving direction of the vehicle, and the right of the vehicle means theright of the driving direction of the vehicle.

FIG. 1 is a view referenced to describe a communication apparatusprovided in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle communication apparatus 10 may includea plurality of remote units (RUs) 100 and a central unit (CU) 200.

The plurality of remote units 100 may be connected to the central unit200 by wire.

The plurality of remote units 100 may be wirelessly connected to thecentral unit 200.

The plurality of remote units 100 may be connected to a mobilecommunication network.

The plurality of remote units 100 may transmit signals to the mobilecommunication network.

The plurality of remote units 100 may transmit signals to an externaldevice through the mobile communication network. Here, the externaldevice may include at least one of a mobile terminal, a vehicle or aserver, which is outside the vehicle.

The plurality of remote units 100 may receive signals from the mobilecommunication network.

The plurality of remote units 100 may receive signals from the externaldevice through the mobile communication network. Here, the externaldevice may include at least one of a mobile terminal, a vehicle or aserver, which is outside the vehicle.

Each of the plurality of remote units 100 may include an array antenna.

The array antenna may be attached to a vehicle body.

The plurality of array antennas may be distributed and disposed on theupper end of the vehicle body.

For example, the array antennas may be distributed and attached to atleast one of a hood, a roof, a trunk, a front windshield, a rearwindshield or a side mirror.

For example, the array antennas may be attached to at least one of ahood, a roof, a trunk, a front windshield, a rear windshield or a sidemirror to face the sky.

For example, the array antennas may be attached to at least one of ahood, a roof, a trunk, a front windshield, a rear windshield or a sidemirror to face a side opposite to the ground.

When the array antenna is located at the upper end of the vehicle body,transmission/reception power performance is excellent.

By the plurality of array antennas respectively included in theplurality of remote units 100, it is possible to implement a multipleinput multiple output (MIMO) system.

If such a MIMO system is implemented, communication capacity (e.g.,communication data capacity) increases.

The plurality of remote units 100 may include a first remote unit 100 a,a second remote unit 100 b, a third remote unit 100 c and a fourthremote unit 100 c.

In some embodiments, the plurality of remote units 100 may include two,three or five remote units.

Meanwhile, the plurality of remote units 100 may receive receivedsignals from the same external device through different frequency bands.

For example, the plurality of remote units 100 may include a firstremote unit 100 a and a second remote unit 100 b. The first remote unit100 a may receive a received signal from a first server through a firstfrequency band. The second remote unit 100 b may receive a receivedsignal from the first server through a second frequency band.

Meanwhile, the plurality of remote units 100 may receive receivedsignals from the same external device through different time bands.

For example, the plurality of remote units 100 may include a firstremote unit 100 a and a second remote unit 100 b. The first remote unit100 a may receive a received signal from the first server through afirst time band. The second remote unit 100 b may receive a receivedsignal from the first server through a second time band.

The central unit 200 may collectively control the plurality of remoteunits 100.

The central unit 200 may control each of the plurality of remote units100.

The central unit 200 may be connected to the plurality of remote units100 by wire.

The central unit 200 may be wirelessly connected to the plurality ofremote units 100.

The central unit 200 may provide data based on the received signalsreceived through the plurality of remote units 100 to one or moredevices located in the vehicle.

For example, the central unit 200 may provide data based on the signalsreceived through the plurality of remote units 100 to mobile terminalscarried by one or more passengers.

The device located in the vehicle may be a mobile terminal located inthe vehicle and carried by the passenger.

The device located in the vehicle may be a user interface deviceprovided in the vehicle.

The user interface device is used to communicate between a vehicle and auser. The user interface device may receive user input and provideinformation generated by the vehicle to the user. The vehicle 100 mayimplement a user interface (UI) or user experience (UX) through the userinterface device.

The user interface device includes a navigation device, an audio videonavigation (AVN) device, a center integrated display (CID), a head updisplay (HUD), etc.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are views referenced to describe a vehicle communicationapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The plurality of remote units 100 and the central unit 200 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

By appropriately distributing and allocating function/layer modules tothe remote units 100 and the central unit 200, it is possible to reduceRF implementation difficulty and to obtain implementation gain such assolution of cabling issues between the remote units 100 and the centralunit 200.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the plurality of remote units 100 mayinclude a radio frequency (RF) module 110.

The RF module 110 may include an array antenna 111 and an RF circuitcapable of implementing a communication protocol.

The array antenna 111 may function as a transmission antenna and areception antenna.

The RF module 110 may include at least one phase locked loop (PLL)circuit and at least one amplifier.

The PLL circuit may include an oscillator.

The RF module 110 may further include at least one mixer, at least onefilter and a combination thereof.

The RF module 110 may be controlled by a first modem or a second modem.

Alternatively, the RF module 110 may be controlled by processors, thatis, a first processor or a second processor.

The central unit 200 may include an access point (AP) 210.

The access point 210 may be connected to the plurality of remote units100 and one or more devices 310, 320 and 330 located in the vehicle.

The access point 200 may provide data based on the received signalsreceived through the plurality of remote units 100 to one or moredevices located in the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the access point 200 and the modem 120 may exchange signals,information or data through a digital interface.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the plurality of remote units 100 mayinclude the RF module 110 and the first modem 120.

The above description is applicable to the RF module 110.

The first modem 120 may be implemented at L1 (Layer 1, e.g., a physicallayer), L2 (Layer 2, e.g., a MAC layer), a radio resource control (RRC)layer, or a non-access stratum (NAS) layer.

The first modem 120 may perform phase locked loop (PLL) control. Forexample, the first modem 120 may perform phase locked loop controlthrough automatic frequency compensation control.

Phase clocked loop control means that the RF module 110 is controlled inorder to constantly maintain the frequency of an output signal.

The first modem 120 may perform automatic gain control.

Automatic gain control means that gain is controlled such that output isconstant even when input is changed in the RF module 110.

The first modem 120 may calculate an automatic gain control value.

The first modem 120 may control the amplifier of the RF module 110 basedon the automatic gain control value.

For example, the first modem 120 may measure a received signal strengthindicator (RSSI) of the RF module 110. The first modem 120 may calculatethe automatic gain control value based on the measured RSSI data.

The first modem 120 may perform automatic frequency compensationcontrol.

Automatic frequency compensation control means that the PLL circuitincluded in the RF module 110 is controlled based on a voltage accordingto a signal period and an oscillation period difference.

The first modem 120 may calculate an automatic frequency compensationcontrol value.

The first modem 120 may control the PLL circuit of the RF module 110based on the automatic frequency compensation control value.

For example, the first modem 120 may perform synchronization of the RFmodule 110.

The first modem 120 may calculate the automatic frequency compensationcontrol value based on synchronization data.

The first modem 120 may modulate a signal transmitted through the RFmodule 110.

The first modem 120 may demodulate a signal received through the RFmodule 110.

The central unit 200 may include the access point 210.

The above description is applicable to the access point 210.

Meanwhile, in new radio (NR), as communication using a high frequencyband such as an mmWave band has been discussed, necessity of a 2-steptransceiver for converting a baseband signal into a high frequency bandthrough an intermediate frequency (IF) band is emerging, instead of atransceiver for directly converting a baseband signal into a highfrequency band. For example, in communication using an mmWave frequencyband (e.g., 28 GHz), operation of converting the baseband signal intothe IF band (e.g., 8 to 10 GHz) in a first transceiver and convertingthe IF band into the mmWave band (e.g., 28 GHz) in a second transceivermay be performed.

Based on signal flow, an IF unit may be further included between the RFmodule 110 and the first modem 120.

The IF unit may be included in the remote unit 100.

The IF unit may perform frequency band conversion.

The RF module 110 may convert the frequency band.

If the IF unit is further included, the RF module 110 may convert the IFband (e.g., 8 to 10 GHz) into the mmWave band (e.g., 28 GHz) or convertthe mmWave band into the IF band.

The IF unit may convert the baseband into the IF band (e.g., 8 to 10GHz) or convert the IF band into the baseband.

The IF unit may further include a local oscillator and an IF PLLcircuit.

Referring to FIG. 3, each of the plurality of remote units 100 mayinclude an RF module 110 and the first modem 121.

The above description is applicable to the RF module 110.

The first modem 121 may be implemented at L1 (Layer 1, e.g., a physicallayer).

The first modem 121 may perform phase locked loop (PLL) control. Forexample, the first modem 121 may perform phase locked loop controlthrough automatic frequency compensation control.

The first modem 121 may calculate an automatic gain control value.

The first modem 121 may control the amplifier of the RF module 110 basedon the automatic gain control value.

The first modem 121 may calculate an automatic frequency compensationcontrol value.

The first modem 121 may control the PLL circuit of the RF module 110based on the automatic frequency compensation control value.

The central unit 200 may include a second modem 205 and an access point210.

The second modem 205 may be implemented at L1 (Layer 1, e.g., a physicallayer), L2 (Layer 2, e.g., a MAC layer), a radio resource control (RRC)layer, or a non-access stratum (NAS) layer.

The second modem 205 may modulate a signal transmitted through the RFmodule 110.

The second modem 205 may demodulate a signal received through the RFmodule 110.

The second modem 205 may measure a received signal strength indicator(RSSI) of the RF module 110.

The second modem 205 may provide the measured RSSI data to the firstmodem 121. The first modem 121 may calculate an automatic gain controlvalue based on the measured RSSI data.

The second modem 205 may perform synchronization of the RF module 110.

The second modem 205 may provide synchronization data to the first modem121. The first modem 120 may calculate an automatic frequencycompensation control value based on the synchronization data.

The above description is applicable to the access point 210.

Meanwhile, an IF unit may be further included between the RF module 110and the first modem 121.

The description of FIG. 2 is applicable to the RF module 110 and IFunit.

Referring to FIG. 4, each of the plurality of remote units 100 mayinclude an RF module 110 and a converter 130.

The above description is applicable to the RF module 110.

The converter 130 may interconvert an analog signal and a digitalsignal.

The converter 130 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) forconverting an analog signal into a digital signal and adigital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting a digital signal intoan analog signal.

The central unit 200 may include a processor 206, a second modem 206 andan access point 210.

The processor 206 may be referred to as an antenna signal processor or amultiple AGC & AFC controller.

The processor 206 may collectively control the plurality of remote units100.

The processor 206 may collectively control the PLL circuit and amplifierof each of the plurality of remote units 100.

The processor 206 may perform phase locked loop (PLL) control. Forexample, the processor 206 may perform phase locked loop control throughautomatic frequency compensation control.

The processor 206 may calculate an automatic gain control value.

The processor 206 may calculate the automatic gain control value basedon a remote unit having best gain among the plurality of remote units100.

The processor 206 may calculate the automatic gain control value basedon average received power of the plurality of remote units 100.

The processor 206 may control the amplifier of the RF module 110 basedon the automatic gain control value.

The processor 206 may calculate an automatic frequency compensationcontrol value.

The processor 206 may control the PLL circuit of the RF module 110 basedon the automatic frequency compensation control value.

The second modem 206 may be implemented at L1 (Layer 1, e.g., a physicallayer), L2 (Layer 2, e.g., a MAC layer), a radio resource control (RRC)layer, or a non-access stratum (NAS) layer.

The second modem 206 may measure a received signal strength indicator(RSSI) of the RF module 110. The second modem 206 may provide themeasured RSSI data to the processor 201. The processor 201 may calculatean automatic gain control value based on the RSSI data.

The second modem 206 may perform synchronization of the RF module 110.The second modem 206 may provide synchronization data to the processor201. The processor 201 may calculate an automatic frequency compensationcontrol value based on the synchronization data.

The second modem 206 may modulate a signal transmitted through the RFmodule 110.

The second modem 206 may demodulate a signal received through the RFmodule 110.

The above description is applicable to the access point 210.

Meanwhile, an IF unit may be further included between the RF module 110and the second modem 206.

The IF unit may be included in the remote unit 100.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed between the RF module 110 andthe converter 130, based on signal flow.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed after the converter 130, basedon signal flow.

The IF unit may be included in the central unit 200.

The IF unit may be disposed before the processor 201, based on signalflow.

The IF unit may be disposed between the processor 201 and the modem 206,based on signal flow.

The description of FIG. 2 is applicable to the RF module 110 and the IFunit.

FIG. 5 is a view referenced to describe a vehicle communicationapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram of FIG. 5.

The description of the RF module 110 of FIG. 6 is applicable to the RFmodules 110 of FIGS. 2 to 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 6, each of the plurality of remote units 100 mayinclude an RF module 110 and a converter 130.

The RF module 110 may include at least one phase locked loop (PLL)circuit 520 and at least one amplifier 510 a, 510 b and 510 c.

The PLL circuit 520 may include an oscillator 520 a.

The PLL circuit 520 may be controlled based on an automatic frequencycompensation control value.

The amplifiers 510 a, 510 b and 510 c may be controlled based on anautomatic gain control value.

Although the PLL circuit 520 and the amplifiers 510 a, 510 b and 510 care controlled by a second modem 207 included in the central unit 200 inFIG. 6, the PLL circuit 520 and the amplifiers 510 a, 510 b and 510 cmay be controlled by the first modem 120 included in the remote unit100, the processor included in each remote unit 100 or the processor 201included in the central unit 200.

The central unit 200 may include a second modem 207 and an access point210.

The second modem 207 may be implemented at L1 (Layer 1, e.g., a physicallayer), L2 (Layer 2, e.g., a MAC layer), a radio resource control (RRC)layer, or a non-access stratum (NAS) layer.

The second modem 207 may collectively control the plurality of remoteunits 100.

The second modem 207 may collectively control the PLL circuit andamplifier of each of the plurality of remote units 100.

The second modem 207 may perform phase locked loop (PLL) control. Forexample, the second modem 207 may perform phase locked loop controlthrough automatic frequency compensation control.

The second modem 207 may perform automatic gain control.

The second modem 207 may calculate an automatic gain control value.

The second modem 207 may control the amplifier of the RF module 110based on the automatic gain control value.

For example, the second modem 207 may measure a received signal strengthindicator (RSSI) of the RF module 110. The second modem 207 maycalculate the automatic gain control value based on the measured RSSIdata.

The second modem 207 may perform automatic frequency compensationcontrol.

The second modem 207 may calculate an automatic frequency compensationcontrol value.

The second modem 207 may control the PLL circuit of the RF module 110based on the automatic frequency compensation control value.

For example, the second modem 207 may perform synchronization of the RFmodule 110. The second modem 207 may calculate an automatic frequencycompensation control value based on the synchronization data.

The second modem 207 may modulate a signal transmitted through the RFmodule 110.

The second modem 207 may demodulate a signal received through the RFmodule 110.

The above description is applicable to the access point 210.

Meanwhile, an IF unit may be further included between the RF module 110and the second modem 207.

The IF unit may be included in the remote unit 100.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed between the RF module 110 andthe converter 130, based on signal flow.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed after the converter 130, basedon signal flow.

The IF unit may be included in the central unit 200.

The IF unit may be disposed before the processor 201, based on signalflow.

The description of FIG. 2 is applicable to the RF module 110 and the IFunit.

FIGS. 7 to 8 are views referenced to describe a vehicle communicationapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, each of the plurality of remote units 100 mayinclude an RF module 110, a converter 130 and a processor 180.

The above description is applicable to the RF module 110.

The above description is applicable to the converter 130.

The processor 180 may be referred to as an antenna signal processor or amultiple AGC & AFC controller.

The processor 180 may perform phase locked loop (PLL) control. Forexample, the processor 180 may perform phase locked loop control throughautomatic frequency compensation control.

The processor 180 may calculate an automatic gain control value.

The processor 180 may control the amplifier of the RF module 110 basedon the automatic gain control value.

The processor 180 may calculate an automatic frequency compensationcontrol value.

The processor 180 may control the PLL circuit of the RF module 110 basedon the automatic frequency compensation control value.

The central unit 200 may include a second modem 206 and an access point210.

The second modem 206 may be implemented at L1 (Layer 1, e.g., a physicallayer), L2 (Layer 2, e.g., a MAC layer), a radio resource control (RRC)layer, or a non-access stratum (NAS) layer.

The second modem 206 may measure a received signal strength indicator(RSSI) of the RF module 110. The second modem 206 may provide themeasured RSSI data to the processor 201. The processor 201 may calculatean automatic gain control value based on the RSSI data.

The second modem 206 may perform synchronization of the RF module 110.The second modem 206 may provide synchronization data to the processor201. The processor 201 may calculate an automatic frequency compensationcontrol value based on the synchronization data.

The second modem 206 may modulate a signal transmitted through the RFmodule 110.

The second modem 206 may demodulate a signal received through the RFmodule 110.

The above description is applicable to the access point 210.

Meanwhile, an IF unit may be further included between the RF module 110and the second modem 206.

The IF unit may be included in the remote unit 100.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed between the RF module 110 andthe converter 130, based on signal flow.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed between the converter 130 andthe processor 180, based on signal flow.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed after the processor 180, basedon signal flow.

The IF unit may be included in the central unit 200.

The IF unit may be disposed before the second modem 206, based on signalflow.

The description of FIG. 2 is applicable to the RF module 110 and the IFunit.

Referring to FIG. 8, each of the plurality of remote units 100 mayinclude an RF module 110, a converter 130 and a first processor 190.

The above description is applicable to the RF module 110.

The above description is applicable to the converter 130.

The first processor 190 may calculate an automatic frequencycompensation control value.

The first processor 190 may control the PLL circuit of the RF module 110based on the automatic frequency compensation control value.

The first processor 190 may be referred to as an AFC controller.

The central unit 200 may include a second processor 301, a chainselector 302, and an access point 210.

The second processor 301 may calculate an automatic gain control value.

The second processor 301 may control the amplifier of the RF module 110based on the automatic gain control value.

The second processor 301 may be referred to as an AGC controller.

The chain selector 320 may select some of a plurality of signalsrespectively provided to the plurality of remote units, when the numberof ports of the second modem is less than the number of remote units.

For example, the chain selector 302 may select the remote units indescending order of the automatic gain control values respectivelyreceived from the plurality of remote units 100.

The chain selector 302 may provide the selected signal to the secondmodem 206.

The description of the second modem 206 in FIG. 7 is applicable to thesecond modem 206.

Meanwhile, an IF unit may be further included between the RF module 110and the second modem 206.

The IF unit may be included in the remote unit 100.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed between the RF module 110 andthe converter 130, based on signal flow.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed between the converter 130 andthe first processor 190, based on signal flow.

For example, the IF unit may be disposed after the first processor 190,based on signal flow.

The IF unit may be included in the central unit 200.

The IF unit may be disposed before the second processor 301, based onsignal flow.

The IF unit may be disposed between the second processor 301 and thechain selector 302, based on signal flow.

The IF unit may be disposed between the chain selector 302 and the modem206, based on signal flow.

The description of FIG. 2 is applicable to the RF module 110 and the IFunit.

FIG. 9 is a view referenced to describe a plurality of array antennasaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle communication apparatus 10 may include a plurality of arrayantennas 111 a, 111 b, 111 c, 111 d, 111 e, 111 f and 111 g.

The plurality of array antennas 111 a, 111 b, 111 c, 111 d, 111 e, 111 fand 111 g may be distributed and disposed on the upper end of thevehicle body.

For example, the array antennas may be distributed and attached to atleast one of an upper end of a hood, an upper end of a roof, an upperend of a trunk, a front windshield, a rear windshield or an upper end ofa side mirror.

By distributing the plurality of array antennas, it is possible tosupport a high data rate and high quality of service (QoS) like onelarge array antenna. Furthermore, it is possible to implement a multipleinput multiple output (MIMO) system.

According to an example or implementation example of the presentinvention, in the method of controlling an amplifier (Amp) and a phaselocked loop (PLL) on an RU basis as described in FIG. 7, a method ofimplementing the ADC function of an RX chain in an automatic gaincontrol/automatic frequency compensation control (AGC/AFC) controllerblock is proposed. FIG. 10 illustrates addition of an AGC/AFC controllerblock to a remote radio head (RRH) according to an example orimplementation example of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10,the ADC function may be implemented in an AGC/AFC controller block.

According to the structure illustrated in FIG. 10, an analog signal maybe transmitted between an RRH and an AGC/AFC controller block through acoaxial cable or the like, which is different from the implementationmethod described with reference to FIG. 7. Further, it may be easy toimplement the example of FIG. 10, compared to the example of FIG. 7 inwhich cabling is required to receive a high-speed digital signal as aninput signal of the AGC/AFC controller. Further, since an ADC block islocated inside the AGC/AFC controller block, the analog signal passingthrough a low pass filter may be input to the AGC/AFC controller block.When the ADC block is located inside the AGC/AFC controller block, userequipment (UE) implementation cost may be lowered compared to a digitalinterface, in spite of attenuation loss.

Signaling for supporting an in-vehicle distributed antenna systembetween a base station (BS) and a vehicle UE may be considered.Preferably, the distributed antenna vehicle UE may be introduced to theBS in a “UE-type transparent” manner. In other words, it may befavorable to design a system such that a BS performs a unified operationwithout the need for determining whether an individual vehicle UE is acentralized antenna vehicle UE or a distributed antenna vehicle UE.Therefore, signaling between the BS and the vehicle UE, which isrequired additionally for the in-vehicle distributed antenna system, maybe performed by RF switching based on an operation of an RU selectorincluded in a CU. For example, the vehicle UE may i) perform RUselection at the CR based on information about the traveling path andposition of a vehicle, and received signal quality (e.g., RSSI)measurement(s) of individual RU(s), and ii) request the BS to change amodulation and coding scheme (MCS) or transmission power based on theabove information, for improving communication performance.

According to an example or implementation example of the presentinvention, when reporting channel state information (CSI) based on thereceived signal qualities (e.g., RSSIs) of the individual RUs to the BS,the CU of the distributed antenna vehicle UE may report i) a pluralityof channel quality indicators (CQIs) for the respective RUs and ii) anRU index selected by an RU selector. Further, when an RU selected by theRU selector of the CU has been changed or is expected to be changed, thevehicle UE may aperiodically RU selection/change information to the BSon a random access channel (RACH) and/or a sounding reference signal(SRS), to request change of an MCS accordingly.

More specifically, the distributed antenna vehicle UE may requestallocation of an MCS suitable for the vehicle UE to the BS by reportingthe plurality of CQIs for the respective RUs and the RU index selectedby the RU selector (or chain selector) of the distributed antennavehicle in the CSI report. For example, a distributed antenna vehicle UEwith two RUs may form a CQI set including i) a CQI for each RU and ii)the index (e.g., 1 or 2) of an RU selected by an RU selector, such as{CQI1, CQI2, selected RU index}. However, the CQI set is not necessarilyreported at the same CSI reporting timing. That is, a CSI feedback fieldvalue may be set to a combination of a plurality of CQIs+an RU index,not a single CQI report per UE. The individual values may be reported atthe same or different reporting timings and/or in the same or differentreporting periods to the BS.

Further, i) when the RU selected by the RU selector of the distributedantenna vehicle UE has been changed or ii) when there is no change inthe RU at present but it is expected that the RU will be changed soonbased on the received quality measurement of each individual RU, thedistributed antenna vehicle UE may explicitly indicate RU indexinformation to be changed to the BS on a physical random access channel(PRACH) or an SRS irrespective of its CSI reporting period, or mayindicate only whether the RU has been changed to the BS by a specificindicator (e.g., a 1-bit indicator). The RU index information and theindicator indicating whether the RU has been changed may be representedas a sequence or bit added to the RACH and/or the SRS.

When the UE provides CQIs and RU selection information to the BS asdescribed above, the BS may determine an MCS based on a specificreported CQI. According to another example or implementation example ofthe present invention, the vehicle UE may transmit an MCS change requestto the BS by reporting the CQI of an RU with the lowest channel gain,selected by the chain selector, or may calculate a single CQI based onthe average received power of a plurality of RUs selected by the chainselector and report the calculated single CQI to the BS. In this case,the BS does not need to operate by identifying whether the vehicle UE isa distributed antenna UE or a centralized antenna UE, and variousmethods may be considered according to a UE implementation method.

According to an example or implementation example of the presentinvention, when an RU selected by the RU selector of the CU has beenchanged or the selected RU is expected to be changed, the distributedantenna vehicle UE may transmit a power headroom report (PHR) to the BSby uplink communication according to the RU selected determination.

When the RU selected by the RU selector of the distributed antennavehicle UE has been changed or when there is no change of the RU atpresent but the RU is expected to be changed based on the receivedquality measurements of individual RUs, obtained so far, the distributedantenna vehicle UE may request reallocation of resources andtransmission power to the BS by transmitting a PHR to the BS. In anexemplary proposal, the CU may transmit the PHR based on an RU havingthe lowest channel gain, selected by the RU selector (or chain selector)or may calculate the average PHR value of a plurality of selected RUsand transmit the calculated average PHR value to the BS. Therefore,communication performance may be increased.

When a PLL is disposed in each RU in the distributed antenna vehicle UE,the RUs may have different time offset values and/or frequency offsetvalues generated from their antenna ports. For example, becausedifferent time delays are involved in transmission from the individualRUs to the CU due to different distances between the RUs and the CU,interfaces between the RUs and the CU, and so on, a timing error mayoccur between the RUs. Moreover, signals generated from PLLimplementation in each individual RU are input to the CU. Therefore, theCU has different values for antenna port groups included in therespective RUs, and thus a frequency error may easily occur betweenantenna ports (or antenna groups) even within a single UE. Thedistributed antenna vehicle UE may indicate a capability regarding atime error and/or a frequency error between antenna ports to the BS toincrease UL and DL data transmission performance of the UE.

According to an example or implementation example of the presentdisclosure, the distributed antenna vehicle may signal a capabilityregarding a time error and/or a frequency error between its antennaports grouped according to a plurality of RUs to the BS, so that the BSmay perform precoding suitable for the situation of the UE or select atransmission mode suitable for the situation of the UE.

As far as the BS knows that different time offsets and/or frequencyoffsets are generated for antenna port groups included in the respectiveRUs according to the report of the vehicle UE, the BS may improveperformance by applying precoding suitable for the UE situation orindicating transmission mode switching.

For example, in downlink communication, when the BS receives, from theUE, signaling indicating that the UE is a distributed antenna vehicle UEto which a frequency error has occurred between RUs, the BS may performtransmission mode switching to perform open-loop transmission based onthe signaling. In another example, in uplink communication, the BS mayreceive, from the UE, signaling indicating that the vehicle is adistributed antenna UE having a frequency error, and apply a diversityscheme to antennas having similar frequency offsets (e.g., an antennagroup belonging to the same RU) based on SRS measurements throughantenna port virtualization. Which scheme or precoding is to be appliedto improve communication performance may be determined in, but notlimited to, various methods according to the above-described signalingfrom the vehicle UE depending on the implementation of the BS.

In new RAT (NR), the introduction of a 2-step transceiver which convertsa baseband signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and then to ahigh-frequency band signal, instead of a transceiver for directlyconverting a baseband signal to a high-frequency band signal, isconsidered in a discussion of communication using a high frequency bandsuch as a millimeter wave (mmWave) band. For example, for communicationusing the mmWave frequency band (e.g., 28 GHz), a first transceiver mayupconvert a baseband signal to a signal in an IF band (e.g., 8-10 GHz),and a second transceiver may finally upconvert the signal in the IF band(e.g., 8-10 GHz) to a signal in an mmWave band (e.g., 28 GHz).

Referring to FIG. 11, an IF function block may be added between an RFICand a modem. The RFIC may perform upconversion from an IF to an mmWaveband (e.g., from 8 to 10 GHz to 28 GHz) (or vice versa). The IF blockmay perform upconversion from a baseband to an IF band (e.g., 8 to 10GHz) (or vice versa). For this purpose, the RFIC may further include anIF local oscillator and a PLL for IF, for downconverting an RF signal toan IF signal (or vice versa). Various 2-step conversion methods may beapplied to a transceiver.

The above-described conversion to an IF band may be applied throughoutgeneral communication irrespective of vehicle communication or antennadistribution. That is, when an implementation reference model related todistribution of function blocks between an RU and a CU is considered, areference model having a 3-step function block of RFIC/modem/AP asillustrated in FIG. 12 may be applied in a similar manner to a 4-stepfunction block of RFIC/IF/modem/AP in which IF band conversion isadditionally considered, as illustrated in FIG. 11. That is, functionblock distribution between an RU and a CU may be performed in variouscombinations as follows.

-   -   i) {RU:antenna}+{CU:RFIC+IF+Modem+AP},    -   ii) {RU:antenna, RFIC}+{CUIF+Modem+AP},    -   iii) {RU:antenna, RFIC, IF}+{CU:Modem+AP},    -   iv) {RU:antenna, RFIC+IF+Modem(partial)}+{CU: Modem(partial)+AP}

However, considering that cabling loss caused by a distance duringanalog signal transmission between an RU and a CU is more serious in ahigh frequency area, ii) a {RU:antenna, RFIC}+{CU:IF+Modem+AP}combination in which RU-CU cabling may be considered by partiallydownconverting a frequency to an IF band may be preferred to a{RU:antenna}+{CU:RFIC+IF+Modem+AP} combination in which an RF analogsignal should be transmitted between an RU and a CU by a cable.

According to an example or implementation example of the presentinvention, a vehicle communication apparatus may include i) a pluralityof remote units (RUs) configured to transmit and receive signals througha mobile communication network, and ii) a central unit (CU) coupled tothe plurality of RUs and configured to provide signals received throughthe plurality of RUs to a device located in a vehicle. Each of theplurality of RUs may include a radio frequency (RF) module and a modemconfigured to control the RF module. Particularly, the modem may includean analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an analogsignal output from the RF module to a digital signal.

The RF module may include at least one phase locked loop (PLL) controlcircuit and at least one amplifier (Amp).

The modem may control i) the Amp based on a calculated automatic gaincontrol (AGC) value, and ii) the PLL control circuit based on acalculated automatic frequency compensation control (AFC) value. The CUmay further include a chain selector configured to select a part of aplurality of signals received through the plurality of RUs,respectively.

The CU may transmit channel state information (CSI) to a base station(BS) through the RF module. Particularly, the CSI may include i) achannel quality indicator (CQI) for each of the plurality of RUs, andii) an index of a specific RU selected from among the plurality of RUsby the chain selector.

The CU may identify change of a first RU selected by the chain selectorto a second RU, and transmit a power headroom report (PHR) including arequest for reallocation of resources and transmission power to the BSthrough the RF module.

The CU may report information about a timing offset difference and afrequency offset difference between the plurality of RUs to the BSthrough the RF module.

The CU may further include an intermediate frequency (IF) moduleconfigured to perform conversion between frequency bands. Particularly,the IF module may primarily convert a baseband signal to a signal in anIF band, and the RF module may secondarily convert the signal in the IFband to a signal in a millimeter wave (mmWave) band.

The IF band may include at least part of a band of 8 GHz to 10 GHz.

The device may include at least a mobile terminal of a passenger in thevehicle or a user interface device provided in the vehicle.

The present invention may be implemented as code that can be written toa computer-readable recording medium and can thus be read by a computer.The computer-readable recording medium may be any type of recordingdevice in which data can be stored in a computer-readable manner.Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a hard diskdrive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), aROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, optical datastorage, and a carrier wave (e.g., data transmission over the Internet).In addition, the computer may include a processor or a controller. Theabove exemplary embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspectsas illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention shouldbe determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not bythe above description, and all changes coming within the meaning andequivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embracedtherein.

1. A vehicle communication apparatus comprising: a plurality of remoteunits (RUs) configured to transmit and receive signals through a mobilecommunication network; and a central unit (CU) coupled to the pluralityof RUs, and configured to provide signals received through the pluralityof RUs to a device located in a vehicle, wherein each of the pluralityof RUs includes a radio frequency (RF) module and a modem configured tocontrol the RF module, and wherein the modem includes ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an analog signaloutput from the RF module to a digital signal.
 2. The vehiclecommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the RF moduleincludes at least one phase locked loop (PLL) control circuit and atleast one amplifier (Amp).
 3. The vehicle communication apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the modem controls i) the Amp based on acalculated automatic gain control (AGC) value, and ii) the PLL controlcircuit based on a calculated automatic frequency compensation control(AFC) value.
 4. The vehicle communication apparatus according to claim1, wherein the CU further includes a chain selector configured to selecta part of a plurality of signals received through the plurality of RUs,respectively.
 5. The vehicle communication apparatus according to claim4, wherein the CU transmits channel state information (CSI) to a basestation (BS) through the RF module, and wherein the CSI includes i) achannel quality indicator (CQI) for each of the plurality of RUs, andii) an index of a specific RU selected from among the plurality of RUsby the chain selector.
 6. The vehicle communication apparatus accordingto claim 4, wherein the CU identifies change of a first RU selected bythe chain selector to a second RU, and transmits a power headroom report(PHR) including a request for reallocation of resources and transmissionpower to the BS through the RF module.
 7. The vehicle communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CU reports information abouta timing offset difference and a frequency offset difference between theplurality of RUs to the BS through the RF module.
 8. The vehiclecommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CU furtherincludes an intermediate frequency (IF) module configured to performconversion between frequency bands, and wherein the IF module primarilyconverts a baseband signal to a signal in an IF band, and the RF modulesecondarily converts the signal in the IF band to a signal in amillimeter wave (mmWave) band.
 9. The vehicle communication apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the IF band includes at least part of aband of 8 GHz to 10 GHz.
 10. The vehicle communication apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the device includes at least a mobileterminal of a passenger in the vehicle or a user interface deviceprovided in the vehicle.
 11. A method of controlling a vehiclecommunication apparatus, the method comprising: receiving and processingsignals through a plurality of remote units (RUs); and providing theprocessed signals to a device located in a vehicle through a centralunit (CU) coupled to the plurality of RUs, wherein the receiving andprocessing of signals comprises converting an analog signal output froma radio frequency (RF) module to a digital signal through an analog todigital converter (ADC) included in a modem.
 12. The method according toclaim 11, further comprising selecting a part of a plurality of signalsreceived through the plurality of RUs through a chain selector.
 13. Themethod according to claim 12, further comprising transmitting channelstate information (CSI) to a base station (BS) through the RF module,wherein the CSI includes i) a channel quality indicator (CQI) for eachof the plurality of RUs, and ii) an index of a specific RU selected fromamong the plurality of RUs by the chain selector.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 12, further comprising: identifying change of a firstRU selected by the chain selector to a second RU; and transmitting apower headroom report (PHR) including a request for reallocation ofresources and transmission power to the BS through the RF module. 15.The method according to claim 11, further comprising: primarilyconverting a baseband signal to a signal in an intermediate frequency(IF) band through an IF module; and secondarily converting the signal inthe IF band to a signal in a millimeter wave (mmWave) band through theRF module.